China has achieved new progress in conserving, restoring and utilizing cultural relics related to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, a senior cultural heritage official said Sunday at a press conference in Beijing.
At a press conference on events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Sun Deli, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, offered updates on efforts to protect and conserve memorial facilities, war sites, and relics.
"First, the overall inventory of war-related cultural resources has been largely identified. Statistics show that there are more than 10,000 unmovable cultural relics and over 500,000 pieces or sets of movable ones themed around the war of resistance across the country," Sun said.
"Second, a framework for systematic protection of war-related cultural relics has taken shape. The construction of a total of 20 revolutionary cultural heritage protection and utilization zones themed on the war is progressing in an orderly manner. More than 3,000 projects nationwide have been implemented, focusing on the renovation, protection, exhibition, and environmental improvement of war sites, as well as the conservation and repair of war relics kept in museums," he added.
"Thirdly, a memorial hall system has also been largely established. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), nearly 20 memorial halls have been newly built, renovated or expanded, and over 50 have had their exhibitions upgraded. The total number of registered memorial halls dedicated to the war of resistance has reached 257," according to Sun.
"Fourth, the educational role of war relics has been fully demonstrated. More than 500 war-themed exhibitions are held nationwide each year, attracting over 60 million visits to war sites and venues. A total of 96 war sites and venues have been designated as national patriotic education demonstration bases. In addition, the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions have set up the first patriotic education base in the Chinese mainland for young people from the two regions at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," Sun said.
China makes major headway in war of resistance relic protection, utilization: official
China's push toward a greener future is once again in the spotlight at this year's annual political "two sessions", as lawmakers are reviewing a draft ecological environment code, a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework for ecological protection.
The draft code was submitted on March 5 to the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the Civil Code, which was adopted in 2020.
The rule of law has been continuously strengthened to support the country's green progress. China already has more than 30 laws related to environmental protection, along with over 100 sets of administrative regulations and more than 1,000 sets of local rules.
The latest legislative move comes amid China's historic gains in ecological conservation over the past decade or so. Championing green development, the country has recorded the world's fastest growth in forest resources and afforestation, led globally in renewable energy development, and achieved one of the fastest national reductions in energy intensity worldwide.
The 1,242-article draft has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.
Scholars involved in drafting the legislation say the code goes beyond broad legal principles. It is also designed to address environmental issues that affect people's daily lives.
"Electric vehicles are becoming very common in China. My family has one. We all think it environment-friendly. But have you ever thought about this question: how do we deal with the first generation of EV batteries after they expire a few years later? The same goes for wind turbine blades and solar panels," said Ding Lin, assistant professor of the Renmin University of China.
China's environmental progress has drawn global attention in recent years, from improving air quality to expanding renewable energy. Yet amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, some observers have questioned whether the country will maintain the same pace of green transition.
"Last year during the COP30, even some friends who are very familiar with China asked me whether China will continue its green development path. I told them we have gradually worked out new policies. We have a very clear direction and goal. In a world full of uncertainties, we are providing the most certainty," said Wang Yi, an NPC deputy from east China's Zhejiang Province and professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In a country pursuing modernization, taking the time to codify environmental laws sends a clear message: economic growth and environmental protection are not a trade-off to be managed, but a commitment to be upheld. For China, a beautiful environment is not a luxury for the future, it is a right for the present, and a responsibility to the next generation.
"This code reflects China's vision of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It shows how development and environmental protection can move forward together," said Lyu Zhongmei, vice chair of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.
China will accelerate the green transition across the board and cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the GDP by a total of 17 percent in the 2026-2030 period, according to a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development submitted to the NPC for deliberation on March 5.
Chinese lawmakers review draft ecological environment code in major green legislative push
